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- Sun Feb 21, 2016 12:00 am
#32723
Complete Question Explanation
Must Be True—PR. The correct answer choice is (C)
This stimulus has an unusual structure: it presents a problem, and then outlines a principle relating to that problem. The question stem asks us to identify a judgment concerning the problem that the principle most helps to justify. In other words, our job is to resolve the problem by using the principle provided in the stimulus. This is simply a Must Be True—Principle question in disguise, as the correct answer must follow from the application of the principle.
Here’s the problem: the Thimble Corporation distributed rebate coupons for one of its products, but some of the coupons expired too early. As a result, customers assumed that the offer had already expired, and potentially missed out on the rebate. This situation is described as “unfair,” making the principle directly applicable to its resolution: the result of an unfair situation must be rectified by those who created the situation. Like most principles, this one is conditional in nature (“anyone… has an obligation to…”):
Since the situation created by the Thimble Corporation is said to be unfair, the principle would require the company to somehow compensate customers who were adversely affected by the incorrect expiration date. Note that the principle can only be used to affirm, not relieve, corporate obligation. This is because the condition under which an obligation is said to exist is sufficient, and not necessary, for that obligation to exist. The best way to approach the answer choices, then, would be to examine their conclusions first: unless the conclusion affirms Thimble’s obligation to compensate the customers who were adversely affected, the answer choice would be incorrect. By the process of elimination, we can immediately see that answer choice (C) is correct.
Answer choice (A): There is no evidence that the customers who were misled decided to apply for the rebate anyway. Furthermore, the principle cannot be used to relieve a company of its obligations.
Answer choice (B): The problem concerns those customers who were adversely affected by the incorrect expiration date, not those who knowingly chose not to apply for the rebate. Furthermore, it is entirely unclear why Thimble and its customers should share some of the responsibility for creating an unfair situation.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. If any customers missed out on the rebate because they were misled into believing that it had already expired, this would classify as an “unfair result” caused by an “unfair situation.” Since the unfair situation (misinformation) was created by the Thimble Corporation, the principle would require the corporation to rectify the result of that situation. Because this answer choice directly follows from the application of the principle to the problem at hand, it is the correct answer choice.
Answer choice (D): Whether the company will manage to identify all of the customers who were adversely affected by the incorrect expiration date remains unclear. Furthermore, denying the rebate to everyone who had applied for it would adversely affect an even greater number of customers. It is unclear how this could possibly rectify the unfair situation created by the Thimble Corporation.
Answer choice (E): As previously mentioned, the principle cannot be used to relieve a company of its obligations. Also, the problem at hand concerns those customers who were adversely affected by the incorrect expiration date, not those who were denied the rebate for some other reason.
Must Be True—PR. The correct answer choice is (C)
This stimulus has an unusual structure: it presents a problem, and then outlines a principle relating to that problem. The question stem asks us to identify a judgment concerning the problem that the principle most helps to justify. In other words, our job is to resolve the problem by using the principle provided in the stimulus. This is simply a Must Be True—Principle question in disguise, as the correct answer must follow from the application of the principle.
Here’s the problem: the Thimble Corporation distributed rebate coupons for one of its products, but some of the coupons expired too early. As a result, customers assumed that the offer had already expired, and potentially missed out on the rebate. This situation is described as “unfair,” making the principle directly applicable to its resolution: the result of an unfair situation must be rectified by those who created the situation. Like most principles, this one is conditional in nature (“anyone… has an obligation to…”):
S N
Principle: Create unfair situation 
Rectify the result of that situation
Since the situation created by the Thimble Corporation is said to be unfair, the principle would require the company to somehow compensate customers who were adversely affected by the incorrect expiration date. Note that the principle can only be used to affirm, not relieve, corporate obligation. This is because the condition under which an obligation is said to exist is sufficient, and not necessary, for that obligation to exist. The best way to approach the answer choices, then, would be to examine their conclusions first: unless the conclusion affirms Thimble’s obligation to compensate the customers who were adversely affected, the answer choice would be incorrect. By the process of elimination, we can immediately see that answer choice (C) is correct.
Answer choice (A): There is no evidence that the customers who were misled decided to apply for the rebate anyway. Furthermore, the principle cannot be used to relieve a company of its obligations.
Answer choice (B): The problem concerns those customers who were adversely affected by the incorrect expiration date, not those who knowingly chose not to apply for the rebate. Furthermore, it is entirely unclear why Thimble and its customers should share some of the responsibility for creating an unfair situation.
Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice. If any customers missed out on the rebate because they were misled into believing that it had already expired, this would classify as an “unfair result” caused by an “unfair situation.” Since the unfair situation (misinformation) was created by the Thimble Corporation, the principle would require the corporation to rectify the result of that situation. Because this answer choice directly follows from the application of the principle to the problem at hand, it is the correct answer choice.
Answer choice (D): Whether the company will manage to identify all of the customers who were adversely affected by the incorrect expiration date remains unclear. Furthermore, denying the rebate to everyone who had applied for it would adversely affect an even greater number of customers. It is unclear how this could possibly rectify the unfair situation created by the Thimble Corporation.
Answer choice (E): As previously mentioned, the principle cannot be used to relieve a company of its obligations. Also, the problem at hand concerns those customers who were adversely affected by the incorrect expiration date, not those who were denied the rebate for some other reason.